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Lee, who played a key role in the fight over Obamacare in the lead-up to the government shutdown, received a warm reception from the conservative crowd.

“Ted Cruz and I have been roundly criticized in the effort to defund Obamacare,” he said. “We make no apologies,” he continued to a standing ovation.

He also urged Republicans to spread their message in a more positive fashion.

“In this city, conservatives often fall into a trap that involves defining ourselves by what we’re against,” he said, running through the list, including big government and the health care law. “But perhaps we haven’t invested nearly as much time and energy communicating what we, as conservatives, are for.”

Going forward, Lee said, the party should take a compassionate approach.

“It’s time for conservatives to remember those forgotten families in word and in deed,” he said. “In heart and political agenda.”